Bedding Rose Plant Named &#39;MEISSALU&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘MEISSALU’, is disclosed. The new variety forms attractive, simple pink/medium pink colored flowers. Attractive semi-glossy foliage is formed, which contrasts beautifully with the blossoms. A bushy growth habit is displayed. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘MEISSALU’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCIATIONS

This application claims priority to Plant Breeders' Right Application Number 2021/2222, which was filed at Community Plant Variety Office in the European Union on Sep. 7, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR

The first offer for sale of the new variety was Feb. 22, 2021 in France. The first offer for sale of the new variety was by the inventor or another who obtained the new variety directly or indirectly from the inventor. No plants of the new variety have been sold in this country or anywhere in the world, nor has any disclosure of the new plant been made, more than one year prior the effective filing date of this application, and such sale or disclosure within one year was either derived directly or indirectly from the inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of bedding rose plant of the present invention was created by controlled breeding at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France by artificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previously had been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the new variety was an unnamed seedling (not patented) from the cross between the ‘MEINOIRAL’ variety (not patented) and an unnamed seedling (not patented). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) of the new variety was the ‘MEIZMEA’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,175).

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:

(‘MEINOIRAL’ x Unnamed Seedling) x ‘MEIZMEA’

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and small plants were obtained which were physically and biologically different from each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new variety.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation in Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France by a number of routes, including eye budding, softwood cuttings, and hardwood cuttings. Asexual propagation by the above-mentioned techniques in Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France has shown that the characteristics of the new variety are stable and are strictly transmissible by asexual propagation from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexual propagation in a true-to-type manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the new variety of rose plant of the present invention possesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) forms pink/medium pink colored flowers,     -   (b) produces simple flowers, and     -   (c) exhibits a bushy growth habit.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. It can be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, public areas, and in residential settings. Accordingly, the plant is particularly well suited for growing in the landscape.

The new variety of the present invention can readily be distinguished from its ancestors. More specifically, the unnamed seed parent (‘MEINOIRAL’ x Unnamed Seedling) makes very long canes in the fall, whereas the new variety stays homogeneous. In addition, the ‘MEIZMEA’ variety (i.e., pollen parent) displays dark pink colored flowers, whereas the new variety displays pink/medium pink colored flowers. Moreover, the new variety can be readily distinguished from other similar non-parental varieties. For example, the ‘RADCON’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,070) produces flowers with up to 10 petals, whereas the new variety produces flowers with 5 petals.

The new variety has been named ‘MEISSALU’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph of the drawing shows as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same, in a color illustration of this character, typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. The rose plants of the new variety were approximately one year of age and were observed during October while budded on their own roots and growing outdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France. Dimensions in centimeters are indicated at the bottom of the drawing.

Element 1—illustrates a specimen of a young shoot.

Element 2—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud before the opening of the sepals.

Element 3—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of the sepals.

Element 4—illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of the petals.

Element 5—illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of opening.

Element 6—illustrates a specimen of an open flower — plan view — reverse.

Element 7—illustrates a specimen of an open flower — plan view — obverse.

Element 8—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower — plan view — reverse.

Element 9—illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower — plan view — obverse.

Element 10—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing arrangement of the pistils (stamens removed).

Element 11—illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showing arrangement of the stamens and pistils.

Element 12—illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem.

Element 13—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets — plan view — upper surface.

Element 14—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets — plan view — upper surface.

Element 15—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets — plan view — upper surface.

Element 16—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets — plan view — under surface.

Element 17—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets — plan view — under surface.

Element 18—illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets — plan view — under surface.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The Royal Horticultural

Society (The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2001 edition), London, England. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has been added to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. The description is based on the observation of one-year-old specimens of the new variety during October while budded on their own roots and growing outdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France.

-   Botanical classification: Rosa hybrida cultivar MEISSALU. -   Commercial classification: Bedding Rose Plant. -   Plant:     -   -   Habit.—Bushy.         -   Height.—Approximately 120 cm on average.         -   Width.—Approximately 120 cm on average. -   Branches:     -   -   Color.—Young stems: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146D             more or less suffused with near Greyed-Red Group 178B. —             adult wood: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146C.         -   Length.—From the crown to the flower is typically between 20             cm to 90 cm.         -   Diameter.—Typically between 0.4 cm to 1.0 cm on average.         -   Young shoots.—Anthocyanin coloration: more or less suffused             with near Greyed-Red Group 178B.         -   Thorns.—Configuration on adult stems: upright to concave,             rather elongated on the upper surface; and concave on the             under surface. — long prickles — quantity: commonly 12             thorns per 10 cm long young stem and commonly 10 thorns per             10 cm long adult stem. — long prickles — length: typically             between 0.7 cm to 0.8 cm on young stems and typically             between 0.7 cm to 0.9 cm on adult stems. — long prickles —             base shape: obovate. — long prickles — base length:             typically between 0.6 cm to 0.9 cm on young stems and             typically between 0.6 cm to 0.9 cm on adult stems. — long             prickles — base width: approximately 0.2 cm on average on             young stems and approximately 0.3 cm on average on adult             stems. — long prickles — color on young stems: commonly near             a color between near Greyed-Orange Group 176C and             Greyed-Orange Group 176D (the tip of the thorn is near             Yellow-Green Group 146C). — long prickles — color on adult             stems: commonly near Greyed-Orange Group 164A. — small             prickles — quantity: absent.         -   Internode.—Numbers on the entire branch: typically between 5             to 22. — length: typically between 3.0 cm and 5.0 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   General appearance.—Dense, with a semi-glossy aspect.         -   Number of leaflets.—3, 5, 7; most often 7.         -   7 Leaflets leaf.—Length: Typically between 10.5 cm to             12.0 cm. — width: typically between 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm.         -   Terminal leaflet length.—Typically between 3.8 cm to 4.8 cm.             — width: typically between 2.4 cm to 3.0 cm.         -   New foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly near Green Group             137C suffused with near Greyed-Purple Group 187B. — under             surface color: commonly near Green Group138B suffused with             near Greyed-Purple Group 187C.         -   Adult foliage.—Upper surface color: commonly near Green             Group 137A. — under surface color: commonly near Green Group             138B. — anthocyanin coloration: absent. -   Leaflets:     -   -   Shape.—Top: acuminate. — base: rounded.         -   Glossiness of upper surface.—Semi-glossy.         -   Texture.—Upper and under surfaces are leathery.         -   General appearance.—Oval.         -   Serration.—Small and single.         -   Undulation on the margin.—Medium.         -   Venation.—Color is commonly near Green Group 137D and             pattern is imparipinnate.         -   Petiole rachis.—Color of upper surface: commonly near Green             Group 137C. — color of under surface: commonly near Green             Group 137D. — texture: upper surface is very little             glandular, under surface is very few prickles. — rachis of             terminal leaflet: length is typically 5.0 cm to 7.0 cm and             diameter is approximately 0.1 cm on average.         -   Petioles.—Upper surface: very little glandular. — under             surface: very few prickles. — color of upper surface:             commonly near Green Group 137C. — color of under surface:             commonly near Green Group 137D. — length: typically between             1.6 cm to 2.1 cm. — diameter: approximately 0.1 cm on             average.         -   Stipules.—Length: approximately 1.5 cm on average. — width:             typically between 0.2 cm to 0.3 cm. — color of upper             surface: commonly near Green Group 137C. — color of under             surface: commonly near Green Group 138A. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers per stem.—Between 4 and 40 flowers per             stem.         -   Lastingness of the bloom.—On the plant: Approximately 3             weeks. — in vase: not tested.         -   Bud.—Shape: conical. — size: small. — length: approximately             2.0 cm on average. — width: approximately 1.1 cm on average.             — color as calyx breaks: — upper surface: commonly near             Red-Purple Group 57A, basal spot is very little and near             Yellow Group 3B. — under surface: commonly near Red-Purple             Group 57C, basal spot is very little and near Yellow Group             2C.         -   Sepals.—Number commonly 5. — length: typically between 1.8             cm to 2.4 cm. — width: typically between 0.5 cm to 0.6 cm. —             shape: at the top: elongated and narrow. at the base:             upright. — extensions: absent or very weak extensions on 2             or 3 sepals, which number is between 1 and 4 per sepal;             length is typically between 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm, and width is             approximately 0.1 cm on average. — upper surface: texture:             tomentous. color: commonly near Green Group 138B. — under             surface: texture: smooth. color: commonly near Green Group             138A.         -   Receptacle.—Color: commonly near Green Group 138B. — length:             approximately 0.5 cm on average. — width: approximately 0.5             cm on average. — surface: smooth. — shape: pitcher shaped.         -   Peduncle.—Length: typically between 1.7 cm to 3.2 cm. —             width: typically between 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm. — surface:             glandular. — color: commonly near Green Group 138B more or             less suffused with near Greyed-Red Group 178B.         -   Flower.—Average size when open: typically between 4.5 cm to             5.5 cm. — shape: cup shaped. — shape when viewed from above:             irregular rounded. — shape of the upper part of the flower             profile: flat. — shape of the lower part of the flower             profile: flat convex. — type: simple. — number of petals             under normal conditions: commonly 5. — petals: shape:             rounded at the base and flat to lightly cordiform at the             top. texture: leathery. length: typically between 2.5 cm to             3.2 cm. width: typically between 2.5 cm to 3.2 cm. —             undulation of the petal: strong. — reflexing of the petal:             absent. — petal incision: very weak. — petal arrangement:             imbricated without petaloids. — petal drop: petals drop off             cleanly before drying. — fragrance: none. — discoloration of             the flower: slightly. — color when opening: basal spot on             the upper surface: commonly near Yellow Group 2D. upper             surface: commonly near Red-Purple Group 67C. basal spot on             the under surface: commonly near Yellow Group 2D. under             surface: commonly near Red-Purple Group 68D amply suffused             with near Red-Purple Group 67C. — color of the open flower:             basal spot on the upper surface: commonly near Yellow Group             2D. upper surface of the flower: commonly near Red-Purple             Group 67C. basal spot on the under surface: commonly near             Yellow Group 2D. under surface of the flower: commonly near             Red-Purple Group 68D amply suffused with near Red-Purple             Group 67C. — anthers: number is 90 on average, length is             approximately 0.2 cm on average, width is approximately 0.1             cm on average, coloration is commonly near Greyed-Orange             Group 163A, and arrangement is regular around styles. —             filaments: length is typically between 0.1 cm and 0.7 cm and             coloration is commonly near Greyed-Yellow Group 162A. —             styles: length is typically between 0.4 cm to 0.7 cm,             coloration is commonly Greyed-Purple Group 184A, and number             is typically between 20 to 25. — stigmas: length is commonly             less than 0.1 cm and coloration is commonly near             Greyed-Yellow Group 162A. — pollen: color is commonly near             Greyed-Orange Group 163A. — hips: diameter is approximately             1.2 on average, length is 1.4 cm on average, color is             commonly a mix of near Orange Group 28A with a little bit of             near Orange-Red Group 32A. — seeds: diameter is             approximately 0.3 cm on average, length is approximately 0.5             cm on average, color is commonly near Greyed-Yellow Group             162D. -   Development:     -   -   Vegetation.—Very strong.         -   Blooming.—Early in the season, very abundant and nearly             continuous typically from May to the first frosts in France.         -   USDA hardiness zone.—Zone 5 to 9.         -   Tolerance to disease.—Very good, and particularly against             Black Spot (Diplocarpon rosae).

The new ‘MEISSALU’ variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘MEISSALU’ characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) forms pink/medium pink colored flowers, (b) produces simple flowers, and (c) exhibits a bushy growth habit; substantially as herein shown and described. 